Results 11-20:

Tried to describe to Isabelle how
beautiful a bride she was. Wishes she could have made a quick sketch, as Stephen [Tennant] could
have. Has enjoyed knowing her since she was six.
Aunt Willa
[Stout
#1387]

Is sending Stephen Tennant's book of drawings.
Publishers in England would like to export unbound sheets to an American publisher. Promised to
show it to Houghton Mifflin and Knopf without having seen it. Now realizes
Americans would find it offensive. It bears the traces of his rebellion against strict
upbringing. Please send a letter she can pass on to Tennant.
W. S. C.
[Stout
#1393]

Is recovering from influenza. Enjoyed reading about his meeting with Stephen Tennant and mother and stepfather, Sir Edward
Grey. Didn't mean Grey was stern, but his interests and Stephen's utterly dissimilar. Very pleased with O Pioneers! in autograph edition. Did he hear
the recital Hephzibah and Yehudi Menuhin gave in Boston? Such a joy to know them!
Willa Cather
[Stout
#1401]

Wishes she were there to cheer a rainy day. Enclosing a letter from Stephen Tennant. At times he lets emotions run away with
him. Prefers simple, direct language. English poetry has greater riches and variety than
French, but English prose is better plain, with strong emotion kept firmly controlled. Glad to
hear she likes Barrie. He can get away with
sentiment because he always does it with a hint of a laugh. Was glad to hear from her father and Yehudi
on Saturday before they sailed. Sorry she is having respiratory trouble. Suggests she read at
night when she is having trouble, to try to take her mind off it. Myra Hess came to tea yesterday and sent her greetings. P.S.: Good that Stephen went to Egypt even if it did cause him to rhapsodize; he needs it for
his health. [Tennant was in Egypt in early 1939. That fact, together with
the reference to Yaltah's illness, seems to confirm
the dating of this letter. On the other hand, the reference to Yehudi's sailing conflicts with the statement that he is in Jaffrey. I conjecture no. 1439 was written later in the
day. However, inconsistencies make it unclear.]
Aunt Willa
[Stout
#1438]

Yehudi surprised her for Easter with some
recordings made in England not released in the U.S. One
was their recording of Mozart's Sonata in
B-flat. Has enjoyed it. Glad she is living where the weather is sunny. Very cold in New York. P.S.: Stephen is at Rhodes.
Aunt Willa
[Stout
#1449]

Appreciated his offering her a copy of Lord Tweedsmuir, but didn't answer because
completing her new book.
Knopf pleased with it. Has not yet received Audubon's America, and
looks forward to it as well as the book on Tweedsmuir. Glad they have both known such fine people. Greatly admires the
present conduct of the British. Even Stephen
Tennant, as pampered as he has been, says he is proud to be in England now.
Finished reading Churchill'sLife of Marlborough at
Grand Manan and considers it a very great
work. P.S.: The books have arrived.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#1491]

Sorry to have missed her while she was in New
York for Yehudi Menuhin's recital, but was
in the hospital. Did get to hear the recital, as Yehudi'smother took her and nurse to a private box. Was
somewhat disappointed in his playing. Is now at home, but cannot use right hand. Strained the
tendon in her thumb. Wants to hear about Stephen's
wedding. Willa Cather , by S. J.
Bloom, then signed by Willa Cather with left hand. [Stout
#1532]

Likes the cover for Lascar; it
transports her to Marseilles. Likes the way
the church towers over all while frivolous and shabby and alluring things wash around it. Sense
of crowding and human variety perfectly captures Marseilles. Surprising he never read Maupassant until recently. Glad he is feeling well and enjoying himself. Was sorry
to learn that Virginia Woolf had died; knows that
was a loss to him. Hand improves very slowly.
Willa Cather
[Stout
#1536]